Wide-angle video conference system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for achieving perspective-corrected views at a location removed from the site of the creation of a distorted wide angle image without the transmission of control signals to the site of image creation. Angles of tilt, pan and rotation, as well as degrees of magnification, are achieved without the use of mechanical devices by using transform algorithms. The system provides for the transmission of signals related to an uncorrected image from a site where this distorted image is created, with the transmitted signals being received at one or more processing sites for creating the perspectively-corrected views. Transmission can be via telephone lines, with the system including signal compression and decompression units. Wireless transmission is also utilized where desired.

[0001] This is a Continuation-in-Part application based upon patentapplication Ser. No. 08/014,508 filed Feb. 8, 1993, which is aContinuation-in-Part application based upon parent application Ser. No.07/699,366 filed May 13, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,667 issued Feb.9, 1993.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to apparatus forobtaining a wide field of view at a first location without the use ofmoving parts, and for selecting a portion or portions of that view underselected viewing parameters at a second location without thetransmission of control signals from the second location to the firstlocation. Further, the invention relates to the transformation of theselected view into a correct perspective for human viewing at the secondlocation.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The fundamental apparatus, algorithm and method for achievingperspectively-corrected views of any selected portion of a hemispherical(or other wide angle) field of view are described in detail in theabove-cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,667. This patent is incorporated hereinby reference for its teachings. Through the use of this technology nomoving parts are required for achieving pan, tilt and rotation“motions”, as well as magnification. Briefly, a wide angle field of viewimage is captured into an electronic memory buffer. A selected portionof the captured image containing a region of interest is transformedinto a perspective correct image by an image processing computer. Thisprovides direct mapping of the wide angle image region of interest intoa corrected image using an orthogonal set of transformation algorithms.The viewing orientation, and other viewing perimeters, are designated bya command signal generated by either a human operator or a form ofcomputerized input. The transformed image is deposited in a secondelectronic memory buffer where it is then manipulated to produce theoutput image as requested by the command signal.

[0004] The invention of that patent was envisioned as being primarily aunitary system in that all components were located in close proximity.Even in the subsequent patent applications (Ser. No. 08/014,508,above-cited, and Ser. No. 08/068,776, filed Jun. 1, 1993) of relatedtechnology, the inventions were envisioned as having all components inclose proximity. As such, there could be ready verification ofoperation, alignment and any needed adjustment.

[0005] There are applications, however, for the same type of omniviewingof wide angle images where there is a substantial distance between wherethe initial image occurs and the location where theperspectively-corrected views are to be utilized. For example, in theteleconferencing art some type of display is exhibited at one location,and persons at a distant location desire to view all or a selectedportion of the display. According to common practice prior to thedevelopment of the basic system for providing a selected image withoutthe use of moving components, control signals had to be sent to the siteof the display so as to make necessary adjustments to equipment at thatsite so as to select a portion of the display, or enhance a selectedportion, for use of the view at the distant location. Further, it isoften desirable to have a plurality of viewers each individually wishingto observe selected portions of the image, with those plurality ofviewers potentially scattered at separate viewing locations. The priorart for this situation would require a plurality of cameras (videosources) and a plurality of control signals being sent to the site ofthe images, and each viewer taking a selected time for their individualviewing.

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to utilizevariations on the technology of production of perspective-correctedviews, at one or more locations, of at least portions of an overallimage occurring at a distant location.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide for thegeneration of a wide angle image at one location and for thetransmission of a signal corresponding to that image to anotherlocation, with the received transmission being processed so as toprovide a perspective-corrected view of any selected portion of thatimage at the other location.

[0008] It is also an object of the present invention is to provide forthe generation of a wide angle image at one location and for thetransmission of a signal corresponding to that image to anotherlocation, with the received transmission being processed so as toprovide at a plurality of stations a perspective-corrected view of anyselected portion of that image, with each station selecting a desiredperspective-corrected view.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide for thegeneration of a wide angle image at one location and for thetransmission of a signal corresponding to that image to a plurality ofother locations, with the received transmission at each location beingprocessed so as to provide a perspective-corrected view of any selectedportion of that image, with the selected portion being selected at eachof the plurality of other locations.

[0010] These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent upon a consideration of the drawings referred to hereinafter,and the detailed description thereof.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided avideo camera at a first location, with that camera having a wide fieldof view lens, such as a fish-eye lens, to produce an electrical signalcorresponding to the image as seen through the lens. This electricalsignal, which is distorted because of the curvature of the lens, isinputted to apparatus for the transmission of the electrical signal to aremote location. The transmission can be by wire or wireless dependingupon the circumstances. If by telephone wire, the apparatus fortransmission includes a “compression” portion due to the lower bandwidth of these lines. If transmission is to be wireless, appropriatebroadcasting apparatus is included.

[0012] At each location where viewing is desired, there is apparatus forreceiving the transmitted signal. In the case of the telephone linetransmission, “decompression” apparatus is included as a portion of thereceiver. The received signal is then digitized. A selected portion ofthe digitized signal, as selected by operator commands, is transformedusing the algorithms of the above-cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,667 into aperspective-corrected view corresponding to that selected portion. Thisselection by operator commands includes options of angles of pan, tilt,and rotation, as well as degrees of magnification.

[0013] The system provides for alternate types of receiving commandsignals. For example, there can be a plurality of stations for inputtingof these command signals to a single transform unit. Further, there canbe the inputting of command signals at each of several receivingstations, each of these receiving stations including a transform unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the presentinvention as applied to the transmission of image signals via telephonelines to a signal processing station wherein transformation of aselected portion of a distorted image to a perspective-corrected view isachieved.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the presentinvention as applied to the transmission of image signals via“broadcast” (radiobroadcast signal, satellite signal, cable signal, etc)to a signal processing station wherein transformation of selectedportions of a distorted image perspective-corrected views is achieved,with the possible input of a plurality of command signals to each selecta desired portion of the image for transformation.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the distorted image signal is transmitted to aplurality of locations, each of these locations having provision fortransformation of selected portions of the image intoperspective-corrected views.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0017] One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generallyat 10 of FIG. 1, this embodiment being primarily for use with signaltransmission via telephone lines. It will be understood that in thisembodiment, as well as others to be described hereinafter, there are twowidely separated locations, designated as a “remote site” 12 and a“local site” 14. Situated at the remote site 12 is a wide angle lens 16,such as a “fisheye” lens, and a video camera 18 for converting any imageseen by the lens 16 into electrical signals corresponding to that image.Typically the lens is an 8 mm F2.8 lens as manufactured by Nikon, andthe camera is a Videk Digital Camera. These signals are inputted to acompression circuit 20, such as that manufactured as Rembrant VP model,manufactured by Compression Labs. Inc. Compression is necessary becausetelephone lines 22 leading from the remote site 12 to the local site 14have a lower band width than other methods of signal transfer (see FIGS.2 and 3). The compressed signal representing the image is then appliedto the phone lines 22 for transmission to the local site 14.

[0018] At the local site 14 the signals on the phone lines 22 areapplied to a decompression circuit 24, such as that manufactured asRembrant VP model, manufactured by Compression Labs., Inc., this unitbeing both the compression and decompression. Thus, the signal output ofthe camera 18 is reconstructed for processing via circuits 26 of thetype described in the above-cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,667. For example,the reconstructed signal is applied to an image capture circuit 28 suchas Texas Instrument's TMS 34061 integrated circuits, to be digitized,and then stored in an input image buffer 30. Typically this buffer (andan output buffer referred to hereinafter) is constructed using TexasInstrument TMS44C251 video random access memory chips or theirequivalents.

[0019] An image processing system consists of an X-MAP and a Y-MAPprocessor shown at 32 and 34, respectively. These performtwo-dimensional transform mapping of the signals, and are under controlby a microcomputer and control interface 36. The transformation achievedby these are described in detail in the above-cited U.S. Pat. No.5,185,667. The in addition to determining the desired transformationcoefficients based on orientation angle, magnification, rotation andlight sensitivity. Information as to parameters for these determinationsis provided through a user-operated controller 38 and/or a computercontroller 40. Typically, the control interface 36 can be accomplishedwith any of a number of microcontrollers including the Intel 80C196.After the transformation steps, the signal is passed through an imagefilter 42 to an output image buffer 44. This filter 42, as well as theX-MAP and Y-MAP transform processors utilize application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) or other means as will be known to personsskilled in the art.

[0020] From the output image buffer 44 the transformed signals feed adisplay driver 46 for then being displayed on a monitor 48. The driver46 typically can be Texas Instruments TMS34061 or the equivalent. Itsoutput is compatible with most commercial television displays.

[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention for generatingsignals corresponding to a distorted image at one location, and forachieving a perspectively corrected view at another location, isillustrated at 10′ in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the same lens 16 andvideo camera 18 are utilized as in FIG. 1. However, the electricalsignals corresponding to a distorted image are inputted into a signaltransmitter 50. This transmitter 50 can generate a broadcast signal, asatellite signal, a cable signal, a sonar signal, etc. at the remotesite 12.

[0022] As indicated, the transmitted signals 52 are received in areceiver 54 corresponding to the particular type of signal. Thereafter,the signals representing the distorted image are fed into the processingcircuitry 26′ similar to that described with regard to FIG. 1. The onlydifferences are the illustration of several remote controller inputs 56,58, and 60 in addition to the initial controller input 38. While only atotal of four input controllers are illustrated, a larger or a smallernumber can, of course, be utilized. The other difference of this circuitfrom that shown in FIG. 1 is that the display monitor 48′ is adapted todepict four views as selected by the four input controllers. It will berecognized that a fewer of a greater number of views can be shown on thedisplay monitor 48′.

[0023] A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated at10″ in FIG. 3. This embodiment illustrates a combination of elements ofFIGS. 1 and 2. For example, at the remote site there is a wide anglelens 16 and video camera 18 to produce electrical signals correspondingto a distorted image to a transmitter 50. This transmitter 50 sends thesignals 52 to a number of receiving stations designated, for example, atsix locations 62A through 62F. Each of these stations has a receiverunit 54A through 54F of the type shown in FIG. 2. All of the otherequipment at each station is identical with that of FIG. 2, with only asingle view monitor 48A through 48F being illustrated; however, amulti-view monitor 48′ can be utilized.

[0024] The present invention has the capability to achieve pan and tiltof the image seen by the camera 18 from a local site while the camera ispositioned at a remote site. Further, the image can be rotated anynumber of desired degrees up to 360°. This capability provides theability to align the vertical image with the gravity vector to maintaina proper perspective in the image display regardless of the pan or tiltangle of the image. The processing system at the local site alsosupports a change in the magnification (commensurate with a zoomfunction). These selectable functions, as well as a selection of adesired portion(s) of the image are achieved without sending any controlsignals to the remote site.

[0025] The performance of the transform of a distorted image into aperspectively corrected image, and the selection of the desired viewingparameters, are achieved by programming the microcomputer 36, the X-MAPtransform processor 32 and the Y-MAP transform processor 34 based uponthe postulates and equations set forth below as contained in theabove-cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,667.

[0026] Postulate 1: Azimuth angle invariability—For object points thatlie in a content plane that is perpendicular to the image plane andpasses through the image plane origin, all such points are mapped asimage points onto the line of intersection between the image plane andthe content plane, i.e. along a radial line. The X azimuth angle of theimage points is therefore invariant to elevation and object distancechanges within the content plane.

[0027] Postulate 2: Equidistant Projection Rule—The radial distance, r,from the image plane origin along the azimuth angle containing theprojection of the object point is linearly proportional to the zenithangle β, where β is defined as the angle between a perpendicular linethrough the image plane origin and the line from the image plane originto the object point. Thus the relationship:

r=kβ  (1)

[0028] Using these properties and postulates as the foundation of thelens system, the mathematical transformation for obtaining a perspectivecorrected image can be determined. Coordinates u,v describe objectpoints within the object plane. The coordinates x,y,z describe pointswithin the image coordinate frame of reference.

[0029] The object plane is a typical region of interest to determine themapping relationship onto the image plane to properly correct theobject. The direction of view vector, DOV[x,y,z], determines the zenithand azimuth angles for mapping the object plane, UV, onto the imageplane, XY. The object plane is defined to be perpendicular to thevector, DOV[x,y,Z].

[0030] The location of the origin of the object plane in terms of theimage plane [x,y,z] in spherical coordinates is given by:

x=D sin β cos ∂

y=D sin β sin ∂  (2)

z=D cos β

[0031] where D=scaler length from the image plane origin to the objectplane origin, β is the zenith angle, and ∂ is the azimuth angle in imageplane spherical coordinates. The origin of object plane is representedas a vector using the components given in Equation 1 as:

DOV[x,y,z]=[D sin β cos ∂, D sin β sin ∂, D cos β]  (3)

[0032] DOV[x,y,z] is perpendicular to the object plane and its scalermagnitude D provides the distance to the object plane. By aligning theYZ plane with the direction of action of DOV[x,y,z], the azimuth angle ∂becomes either 90 or 270 degrees and therefore the x component becomeszero resulting in the DOV[x,y,z] coordinates:

DOV[x,y,z]=[0, −D sin β, D cos β]  (4)

[0033] The object point relative to the UV plane origin in coordinatesrelative to the origin of the image plane is given by the following:

x=u

y=v cos β  (5)

z=v sin β

[0034] therefore, the coordinates of a point P(u,v) that lies in theobject plane can be represented as a vector P[x,y,z] in image planecoordinates:

P[x,y,z]=[u, v cos β, v sin β]  (6)

[0035] where P[x,y,z] describes the position of the object point inimage coordinates relative to the origin of the UV plane. The objectvector O[x,y,z] that describes the object point in image coordinates isthen given by:

O[x,y,z]=DCV[x,y,z]+P[x,y,z]  (7)

O[x,y,z]=[u, v cos β−D sin β, v sin β+D cos β]  (8)

[0036] Projection onto a hemisphere of radius R attached to the imageplane is determined by scaling the object vector O[x,y,z] to produce asurface vector S[x,y,z]: $\begin{matrix}{{S\left\lbrack {x,y,z} \right\rbrack} = \frac{{RO}\left\lbrack {x,y,z} \right\rbrack}{{O\left\lbrack {x,y,z} \right\rbrack}}} & (9)\end{matrix}$

[0037] By substituting for the components of O[x,y,z] from Equation 8,the vector S[x,y,z] describing the image point mapping onto thehemisphere becomes: $\begin{matrix}{{S\left\lbrack {x,y,z} \right\rbrack} = \frac{{RO}\left\lbrack {{u_{2}\left( {{v\quad \cos \quad \beta} - {D\quad \sin \quad \beta}} \right)},\left( {{v\quad \sin \quad \beta} + {D\quad \cos \quad \beta}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{\sqrt{u^{2} + \left( {{v\quad \cos \quad \beta} - {D\quad \sin \quad \beta}} \right)^{2} + \left( {{v\quad \sin \quad \beta} + {D\quad \cos \quad \beta}} \right)^{2}}}} & (10)\end{matrix}$

[0038] The denominator in Equation 10 represents 10 the length orabsolute value of the vector O[x,y,z] and can be simplified throughalgebraic and trigonometric manipulation to give: $\begin{matrix}{{S\left\lbrack {x,y,z} \right\rbrack} = \frac{{RO}\left\lbrack {u,\left( {{v\quad \cos \quad \beta} - {D\quad \sin \quad \beta}} \right),\left( {{v\quad \sin \quad \beta} + {D\quad \cos \quad \beta}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + D^{2}}}} & (11)\end{matrix}$

[0039] From Equation 11, the mapping onto the two-dimensional imageplane can be obtained for both x and y as: $\begin{matrix}{x = \frac{Ru}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + D^{2}}}} & (12) \\{y = \frac{R\left( {{v\quad \cos \quad \beta} - {D\quad \sin \quad \beta}} \right)}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + D^{2}}}} & (13)\end{matrix}$

[0040] Additionally, the image plane center to object plane distance Dcan be represented in terms of the image circular radius R by therelation:

D=mR   (14)

[0041] where m represents the scale factor in radial units R from theimage plane origin to the object plane origin. Substituting Equation 14into Equations 12 and 13 provides a means for obtaining an effectivescaling operation or magnification which can be used to provide zoomoperation. $\begin{matrix}{x = \frac{Ru}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + {m^{2}R^{2}}}}} & (15) \\{y = \frac{R\left( {{v\quad \cos \quad \beta} - {m\quad R\quad \sin \quad \beta}} \right)}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + {m^{2}R^{2}}}}} & (16)\end{matrix}$

[0042] Using the equations for two-dimensional rotation of axes for boththe UV object plane and the XY image plane the last two equations can befurther manipulated to provide a more general set of equations thatprovides for rotation within the image plane and rotation within theobject plane. $\begin{matrix}{x = \frac{R\left\lbrack {{uA} - {vB} + {m\quad R\quad \sin \quad \beta \quad \sin\partial}} \right\rbrack}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + {m^{2}R^{2}}}}} & (17) \\{y = \frac{R\left\lbrack {{uC} - {vD} - {m\quad R\quad \sin \quad \beta \quad \cos\partial}} \right\rbrack}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + {m^{2}R^{2}}}}} & (18)\end{matrix}$

[0043] where:

A=(cos Ø cos ∂−sin Ø sin ∂ cos β)

B=(sin Ø cos ∂+cos Ø sin ∂ cos β)   (19)

C=(cos Ø sin ∂+sin Ø cos ∂ cos β)

D=(sin Ø sin ∂−cos Ø cos ∂ cos β)

[0044] and where:

[0045] R=radius of the image circle

[0046] β=zenith angle

[0047] ∂=Azimuth angle in image plane

[0048] Ø=Object plane rotation angle

[0049] m=Magnification

[0050] u,v=object plane coordinates

[0051] x,y=image plane coordinates

[0052] The Equations 17 and 18 provide a direct mapping from the UVspace to the XY image space and are the fundamental mathematical resultthat supports the functioning of the present omnidirectional viewingsystem with no moving parts. By knowing the desired zenith, azimuth, andobject plane rotation angles and the magnification, the locations of xand y in the imaging array can be determined. This approach provides ameans to transform an image from the input video buffer 30 to the outputvideo buffer 44 exactly. Also, the image system is completelysymmetrical about the zenith, therefore, the vector assignments andresulting signs of various components can be chosen differentlydepending on the desired orientation of the object plane with respect tothe image plane. In addition, these postulates and mathematicalequations can be modified for various lens elements as necessary for thedesired field-of-view coverage in a given application.

[0053] The input means defines the zenith angle, β, the azimuth angle,∂, the object rotation, Ø, and the magnification, m. These values aresubstituted into Equations 19 to determine values for substitution intoEquations 17 and 18. The image circle radius, R, is a fixed value thatis determined by the camera lens and element relationship. The variablesu and v vary throughout the object plane determining the values for xand y in the image plane coordinates.

[0054] From the foregoing it will be understood by persons skilled inthe art that the art of the omniview motionless camera system has beenextended for applications such as teleconferencing where informationdisplayed at one location can be transmitted to a second location, withcomplete control of the selection of viewing parameters being made atthat second site without any control being transmitted to the firstsite. This permits a multi-station receipt of the information andcontrol at each station.

[0055] Although certain citations to commercially available equipmentare made herein, there is no intent to limit the invention by thesecitations. Rather, any limitation of the present invention is by theappended claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A system for providing perspective corrected views of adistorted wide angle image at a location removed from the site of thecreation of the distorted wide angle image without transmitting controlsignals to the site of the creation of the distorted image, the systemcomprising: a camera-imaging system at a first site for receivingoptical images and for producing output signals corresponding to theoptical images; a wide angle lens at the first site associated with thecamera imaging system for producing the optical images throughout thefield of view of the lens for optical conveyance to the camera imagingsystem, the optical images being distorted by the wide angle lens; atransmitter at the first site to receive the output signals of thecamera imaging system to transmit the output signals from the first siteto at least one second site; a receiver at the second site to receivesignals transmitted by the transmitter; image capture circuitry at thesecond site for receiving and digitizing signals from the receivercorresponding to output signals of the camera imaging system; inputimage memory circuitry at the second site for receiving digital signalsfrom the image capture circuitry; image transform processor at thesecond site for processing the digitized signals in the input imagememory circuitry according to selected viewing angles and degree ofmagnification, and for producing output transform calculations signalsaccording to a combination of the digitized signals, the selectedviewing angles and degree of magnification; output image memorycircuitry at the second site for receiving the output signals from theimage transform processor; input means at the second site for selectingthe viewing angles and degree of magnification; microprocessor means atthe second site for receiving the selected viewing angles and degree ofmagnification from the input means and for converting the selectedviewing angles and degree of magnification for input to the imagetransform processor to control the processing of the transformprocessor; and output means at the second site connected to the outputimage memory circuitry to display the perspective corrected viewaccording to the selected viewing angles and degree of magnification. 2.The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter includes signalcompression circuitry and the receiver includes signal decompressioncircuitry whereby transmission of signals corresponding to the image aretransmitted over telephone lines from the first site to the second site.3. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter includes wirelesstransmission circuitry and the receiver includes wireless receivingcircuitry whereby transmission of signals corresponding to the image aretransmitted via wireless techniques from the first site to the secondsite.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the input means comprises aplurality of control units for selecting the viewing angles and degreeof magnification at each control unit.
 5. The system of claim 4 whereinat least one of the control units is a computer control for selectingthe viewing angles and degree of magnification.
 6. The system of claim 1further comprising surveillance mounting means for the wide angle lensand the camera imaging system in the first site whereby the cameraimaging system provides output signals corresponding to a distortedimage of an area in the first site under surveillance for activity inthe area.
 7. The system of claim 1 further comprising teleconferencemounting means for the wide angle lens and the camera imaging system inthe first site whereby the camera imaging system provides output signalscorresponding to a distorted image of a display in the first site forteleconferencing of information contained in the display to the secondsite.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the output means includesrecording means for recording the perspective corrected view accordingto the selected viewing angles and degree of magnification.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the input means includes means for selectingangles of tilt, pan and rotation, and for selecting a portion of thedistorted wide angle image for processing a perspective correct view.10. A system for providing perspective corrected views of a selectedportion of a distorted wide angle image at a location removed from thesite of the creation of the distorted wide angle image withouttransmitting control signals to the site of the creation of thedistorted image, the system comprising: a camera-imaging system at afirst site for receiving optical images and for producing output signalscorresponding to the optical images; a wide angle lens at the first siteassociated with the camera imaging system for producing the opticalimages throughout the field of view of the lens for optical conveyanceto the camera imaging system, the optical images being distorted by thewide angle lens; a transmitter at the first site to receive the outputsignals of the camera imaging system to transmit the output signals fromthe first site to at least one second site; a receiver at the secondsite to receive signals transmitted by the transmitter; image capturecircuitry at the second site for receiving and digitizing signals fromthe receiver corresponding to output signals of the camera imagingsystem; input image memory circuitry at the second site for receivingdigital signals from the image capture circuitry; image transformprocessor at the second site for processing the digitized signals in theinput image memory circuitry according to selected viewing angles anddegree of magnification, and for producing output transform calculationssignals according to a combination of the digitized signals, theselected viewing angles and degree of magnification; output image memorycircuitry at the second site for receiving the output signals from theimage transform processor; input means at the second site for selectinga portion of the distorted wide angle image, and selecting the viewingangles and degree of magnification; microprocessor means at the secondsite for receiving the selected portion and selected viewing angles anddegree of magnification from the input means and for converting theselected portion and selected viewing angles and degree of magnificationfor input to the image transform processor to control the processing ofthe transform processor; and output means at the second site connectedto the output image memory circuitry to display and record theperspective corrected view according to the selected portion of theimage and the selected viewing angles and degree of magnification. 11.The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter includes signalcompression circuitry and the receiver includes signal decompressioncircuitry whereby transmission of signals corresponding to the image aretransmitted over telephone lines from the first site to the second site.12. The system of claim 10 wherein the input means comprises a pluralityof control units for selecting the portion of the image and selectingthe viewing angles and degree of magnification at each control unit. 13.The system of claim 12 wherein at least one of the control units is acomputer control for selecting the portion of the image and selectingthe viewing angles and degree of magnification.
 14. The system of claim10 wherein the image transform processor is programmed to implement thefollowing equations:$x = \frac{R\left\lbrack {{uA} - {vB} + {m\quad R\quad \sin \quad \beta \quad \sin\partial}} \right\rbrack}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + {m^{2}R^{2}}}}$$y = \frac{R\left\lbrack {{uC} - {vD} - {m\quad R\quad \sin \quad \beta \quad \cos\partial}} \right\rbrack}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + {m^{2}R^{2}}}}$

where: A=(cos Ø cos ∂−sin Ø sin ∂ cos β) B=(sin Ø cos ∂+cos Ø sin ∂ cosβ) C=(cos Ø sin ∂+sin Ø cos ∂ cos β) D=(sin Ø sin ∂−cos Ø cos ∂ cos β)and where: R=radius of the image circle β=zenith angle ∂=Azimuth anglein image plane Ø=Object plane rotation angle m=Magnification u,v=objectplane coordinates x,y=image plane coordinates
 15. A system for providingperspective corrected views of a selected portion of a distorted wideangle image at a location removed from the site of the creation of thedistorted wide angle image without transmitting control signals to thesite of the creation of the distorted image, the system comprising: acamera-imaging system at a first site for receiving optical images andfor producing output signals corresponding to the optical images; a wideangle lens at the first site associated with the camera imaging systemfor producing the optical images throughout the field of view of thelens for optical conveyance to the camera imaging system, the opticalimages being distorted by the wide angle lens; a transmitter at thefirst site to receive the output signals of the camera imaging system totransmit the output signals from the first site to at least one secondsite; a receiver at the second site to receive signals transmitted bythe transmitter; image capture circuitry at the second site forreceiving and digitizing signals from the receiver corresponding tooutput signals of the camera imaging system; input image memorycircuitry at the second site for receiving digital signals from theimage capture circuitry; image transform processor at the second sitefor processing the digitized signals in the input image memory circuitryaccording to selected viewing angles and degree of magnification, andfor producing output transform calculation signals according to acombination of the digitized signals, the selected viewing angles anddegree of magnification, the transformation being according to theequations$x = \frac{R\left\lbrack {{u\quad A} - {v\quad B} + {m\quad R\quad \sin \quad \beta \quad \sin\partial}} \right\rbrack}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + {m^{2}R^{2}}}}$$y = \frac{R\left\lbrack {{u\quad C} - {v\quad D} - {m\quad R\quad \sin \quad \beta \quad \cos\partial}} \right\rbrack}{\sqrt{u^{2} + v^{2} + {m^{2}R^{2}}}}$

where: A=(cos Ø cos ∂−sin Ø sin ∂ cos β) B=(sin Ø cos ∂+cos Ø sin ∂ cosβ) C=(cos Ø sin ∂+sin Ø cos ∂ cos β) D=(sin Ø sin ∂−cos Ø cos ∂ cos β)and where: R=radius of the image circle β=zenith angle ∂=Azimuth anglein image plane Ø=object plane rotation angle m=Magnification u,v=objectplane coordinates x,y=image plane coordinates output image memorycircuitry at the second site for receiving the output signals from theimage transform processor; input means at the second site for selectinga portion of the distorted wide angle image, and selecting the viewingangles and degree of magnification; microprocessor means at the secondsite for receiving the selected portion and selected viewing angles anddegree of magnification from the input means and for converting theselected portion and selected viewing angles and degree of magnificationfor input to the image transform processor to control the processing ofthe transform processor; and output means at the second site connectedto the output image memory circuitry to display and record theperspective corrected view according to the selected portion of theimage and the selected viewing angles and degree of magnification. 16.The system of claim 15 further comprising surveillance mounting meansfor the wide angle lens and the camera imaging system in the first sitewhereby the camera imaging system provides output signals correspondingto a distorted image of an area in the first site under surveillance foractivity in the area.
 17. The system of claim 15 further comprisingteleconference mounting means for the wide angle lens and the cameraimaging system in the first site whereby the camera imaging systemprovides output signals corresponding to a distorted image of a displayin the first site for teleconferencing of information contained in thedisplay to the second site.